I started working for my father in Japan over 15 years ago, and although I grew up at one of the biggest koi companies in Japan, I still knew little about the hobby. I still remember my surprise when I came across a handful of koi hobbyists who raised only Showa. I do not know, even today, anybody who raises only a certain variety like Kohaku or Kujaku. Showa seems to be the only variety that can get that kind of raving fans. Let’s talk about this exciting variety today.
I must say that for the last 10 years, no other variety has developed as much as Showa. This is quite obvious when you see Showa suddenly start winning grand championships at All Japan Koi Shows.
**Showa Development:**
To understand this variety, it is good to understand its brief history. Just as Sanke’s proper name is Sanke Sanshoku, Showa is properly called Showa Sanshoku. Sanshoku means three colors, referring to the koi’s red, black and white. Showa is the name of the era of Japan’s emperor from 1901 to 1989, when this variety was devel- oped. To make it easy, we usually call them just “Showa.”
In the development of Showa, there are three things you should prob- ably know about. One is the variety’s roots — Matsukawabake. Another is Kobayashi Showa. And the third is Dainichi Showa.
Mr. Jyukichi Hoshino created the variety of Showa in 1929. It is said that he bred it from Matsukawabake and Ki Utsuri, two other varieties. And other breeders improve the breed’s *sumi* by strengthening the blood of Matsukawabake. Matsukawabake is a black-based koi with an unexpected change of *sumi* pattern. It is very important to know that Matsukawabake is the foundation of Showa. It is because of this that Showa has such a dynamic *sumi* pattern that changes. It was 30 years after the very first Showa by Mr. Hoshino that Mr. Kobayashi developed the famous Kobayashi Showa. He introduced Kohaku blood to this variety and developed brighter *hi* (red), better *shiroji* (white ground) and lacquer *sumi* (black) on the body of Showa. His Showa was definitely epoch-making and won the very first Grand Champion title at the All Japan Koi Show. We had to wait for another 20 years until Showa won the same title. The koi that won is the famous Dainichi Showa. This Koi is very important for two reasons. One is that Showa could finally have more *shiroji* (white ground) on the body. Since Kobayashi Showa, breeders have been trying to increase the amount of *shiroj*i area on the body. The other is that Showa could finally have the body and size to win the championship. Compared to Kohaku and Sanke, Showa has a difficult time growing big and strong.
Differences between Showa Sanshoku and Sanke Sanshoku:
Showa Appreciation
Just like Sanke, Showa is Kohaku with a *sumi* pattern, although the *sumi* character is very different from that of Sanke. So we approach a koi as Kohaku first. Then, you see how *sumi* are — or will be — located to express the beauty.
When you look at Showa, check the following:
Kohaku
Sumi
Breeder
1) Kohaku
Please check the quality of the Kohaku. How is its *shiroji* (white ground)? Is it snow white? How is the *hi* (red)? Then, check how those quality colors form the design on the body of the koi. Unlike Sanke, the Kohaku pattern of Showa is not necessarily a must.
2) Sumi
Why is the Kohaku pattern of Showa not as important as it is for Sanke? It is because of the characteristics of *sumi* on Showa. As I said, Showa *sumi* is that of the Matsukawabake variety. In other words, the foundation of the koi is the black color. Thus, it develops massively and dynamically. Even though it may lack in some part of the Kohaku pattern, if the *sumi* appears in good balance, it will be good enough. If you look at this picture and see only Kohaku pattern, you know it is not as good. But once the *sumi* develops, it will not matter. It is more important to predict what kind of *sumi* quality will appear and where.
3) Breeder
What quality of *sumi* will develop where and how is a very important question. There are several things you must know in order to make the prediction, but information about the breeder is definitely the most critical one. At the very least, there are several breeders you should know, including Dainichi Koi Farm, Isa Koi Farm, Sekiguchi Koi Farm, Kanezo Koi Farm and more.
Lastly, selling Showa should not be that difficult. First of all, this is a variety that’s in very high demand. There are hobbyists who raise only Showa, so it’s obvious that the Showa variety does have something that lures people. It could be the powerful look, or perhaps the dynamic change. When selling one- to two-year-old Showa, the *sumi* is not yet revealed most of the time. So please try to see where the *sumi* are hiding, and explain to your clients where they may develop and how gorgeous they may look then.
